The Coziest Creamy Mushroom Soup Recipe for Cold Days
Crafting a delightful creamy mushroom soup brings comfort to chilly evenings and warmth to your kitchen.
Seasonal mushrooms create a rich, velvety base that transforms simple ingredients into something magical.
Wild and cultivated varieties offer depth and complexity to this classic dish.
Earthy aromas will fill your home with an inviting fragrance that promises deliciousness.
Professional chefs and home cooks alike appreciate how simple techniques can yield extraordinary results.
Each spoonful carries memories of cozy moments and culinary tradition.
You’ll love how easily this recipe comes together with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
Why Creamy Mushroom Soup Wins Hearts
Ingredients For Creamy Mushroom Soup
Base Ingredients:Aromatic Ingredients:Creaminess and Thickening Ingredients:Optional Flavor Enhancers:Garnish Ingredients:Step-By-Step Creamy Mushroom Soup Instructions
Step 1: Kickstart The Flavor Base
Heat butter and olive oil in a large pot over medium temperature.
Toss in diced onions and sauté until they become soft and see-through.
Add minced garlic and thyme, stirring for a couple minutes until the kitchen fills with an aromatic scent.
Step 2: Mushroom Magic
Slide sliced mushrooms into the pot.
Let them dance and release their moisture while cooking.
Stir occasionally and watch them transform into golden-brown beauties.
Optional: Splash some white wine or sherry to deglaze the pot, capturing those delicious caramelized bits.
Step 3: Thicken The Goodness
Sprinkle flour over the mushrooms and mix thoroughly.
Cook briefly to eliminate the raw flour taste, which helps create a rich, smooth texture.
Step 4: Broth Building
Pour vegetable or chicken broth into the pot.
Allow the soup to simmer gently, letting flavors meld and develop for 10-15 minutes.
Step 5: Creamy Transformation
Blend the soup using an immersion blender directly in the pot.
For texture variation, leave some mushroom chunks.
Alternatively, transfer to a standard blender in batches.
Step 6: Cream And Season
Stir in heavy cream or half-and-half.
Cook for a few minutes until heated through.
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
Step 7: Serving Spectacular
Ladle soup into bowls.
Sprinkle fresh parsley on top.
Serve alongside crusty bread or with grated Parmesan.
Step 8: Flavor Boosters
Enhance depth by adding:Step 9: Flexible Options
Alternative milk options:Step 10: Storage Secrets
Store in refrigerator for 3-4 days or freeze up to 3 months.
Cool completely before storing.
Tips For Creamy Mushroom Soup
Flavor Enhancements For Creamy Mushroom Soup
Pairing Suggestions For Creamy Mushroom Soup
Proper Storage For Creamy Mushroom Soup
FAQs
Cremini, shiitake, or white button mushrooms are excellent choices. They provide rich flavor and great texture. You can also mix different mushroom varieties for a more complex taste.
Yes, simply use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. The recipe is easily adaptable for vegetarian diets without compromising flavor.
Add a splash of soy sauce or miso paste during cooking. These ingredients boost the umami and deepen the overall mushroom taste profile.
Use gluten-free flour or cornstarch as a thickener, and ensure your broth is gluten-free. This will make the recipe safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
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Creamy Mushroom Soup Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Hearty Creamy Mushroom Soup promises comfort in each spoonful, blending earthy woodland flavors with silky smoothness. Forest-fresh mushrooms and rich cream invite you to savor a warm culinary embrace that feels like a gentle hug from nature.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb (454 grams) mushrooms (such as cremini, button, or portobello, sliced)
- 4 cups (960 milliliters) vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Fat and Thickening Agents:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) butter
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
- 1 tablespoon (15 grams) all-purpose flour (optional, for thickening)
- Optional: a splash of white wine or sherry
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- Heat butter and olive oil in a large pot over medium temperature, creating a flavorful base for the soup.
- Sauté diced onions until translucent, then introduce minced garlic and thyme, allowing aromatics to release their fragrant essence for 1-2 minutes.
- Incorporate sliced mushrooms, cooking for 8-10 minutes until they caramelize and release their natural moisture, developing rich, deep flavors.
- Optional: Deglaze the pot with white wine or sherry, scraping up the delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Dust flour over the mushroom mixture, stirring thoroughly to eliminate raw flour taste and create a subtle thickening agent for the soup.
- Pour in vegetable or chicken broth, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer for 10-15 minutes to meld the flavors and slightly reduce the liquid.
- Transform the soup’s texture using an immersion blender or carefully transfer to a standard blender, creating a smooth consistency while maintaining some mushroom chunks for rustic appeal.
- Introduce heavy cream, stirring and heating for 3-5 minutes until the soup reaches a luxurious, velvety temperature.
- Season with salt and pepper, tasting and adjusting to achieve perfect flavor balance.
- For enhanced depth, consider adding a splash of soy sauce or a pinch of miso paste to amplify the umami profile.
- Serve piping hot, garnished with fresh parsley and accompanied by crusty bread or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container, refrigerating for 3-4 days or freezing up to 3 months for future enjoyment.
Notes
- Enhance mushroom flavor by using a mix of wild and cultivated mushrooms like shiitake, cremini, and oyster for complex taste profiles.
- Deepen umami notes by sautéing mushrooms at high heat to develop rich caramelization and intensify natural earthy characteristics.
- Create dairy-free version by replacing heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream, maintaining silky texture while accommodating dietary restrictions.
- Elevate presentation and nutrition by garnishing with toasted pumpkin seeds, crispy sage leaves, or a drizzle of truffle oil for gourmet touch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
Natalie Brooks
Co-Founder & Content Strategist
Expertise
Education
eCornell
Natalie brings the vibrant, plant-powered side to Culinary Duo. After earning her Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate from eCornell, she combined her love for fresh ingredients with a passion for storytelling, aiming to make healthy cooking simple and satisfying.
Her kitchen motto: good food doesn’t need a fancy label, it just needs fresh ideas and a little creativity. Outside of writing and recipe testing, Natalie’s happiest in her garden, exploring farmers’ markets, or mixing global flavors into new kitchen experiments.